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Fall alfalfa management in 2024

Craig Sheaffer, Extension forage agronomist Excess rainfall in the spring followed by late summer drought has made for another challenging year for growing alfalfa. Earlier we reviewed some strategies to deal with the wet spring conditions. See: Alfalfa news in summer of 2024 . Now we are in mid-fall and some new questions arise: Will drought this fall harm alfalfa? Minnesota’s alfalfa growing regions have had variable levels of drought this fall combined with above normal air temperatures. The drought will not lead to increased winterkill of alfalfa. Fall moisture deficits actually increase winter survival compared to well watered conditions. Irrigation is not necessary. The longer growing season is favorable for the dormancy reaction and accumulation of energy reserves which should reduce risk of winter injury. See   Fall cutting of alfalfa in 2023  for more information. Is it now safe to fall harvest? It is a safe time to harvest. Although we have not reached air temperatu
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Nitrification inhibitors in detail: Important information to help delay N loss

In episode 12 of the Advancing Nitrogen Smart series Brad and Dan talk in detail about nitrification inhibitors. What are the two types of inhibitors, and what are best practices for incorporation? How do soil type, temperature, and precipitation factor into farmer decision-making? How much time does a nitrification inhibitor buy you? In what circumstances should inhibitors be avoided altogether? These answers and many, many more on today's episode. TRANSCRIPT Guests: Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato) Daniel Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul) Additional resources: Nitrification inhibitors and manure: Do they work? Video: What to know about nitrogen inhibitors and other enhanced efficiency fertilizers A difference in degrees: Fall application efficiency at 50 Fahrenheit Nitrogen Smart --- Click here to listen to all Advancing Nitrogen Smart podcast episodes. For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management P
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First detection of corn leafhopper in Minnesota in 2024

Yucheng Wang, Research Associate, Department of Entomology, and Fei Yang, Extension entomologist Figure 1. Corn leafhopper adult. It can be differentiated from other leafhoppers by the presence of two black spots  located between their eyes. (Photo courtesy of Danielle  Sekula from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension). The corn leafhopper, Dalbulus maidis (DeLong & Wolcott) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) (Figure 1), is an invasive insect native to Mexico that has spread extensively across the Americas, covering tropical regions of North, Central, and South America. First detected in the United States in the 1940s, it has since expanded into southern states, including California, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida, where sporadic outbreaks have caused economic losses. By 1981, the insect was documented as far north as Ohio. In 2024, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension issued an alert about a surge of corn leafhoppers in the Texas Mid-Coast region. Previously, the
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Advancing Nitrogen Smart podcast series celebrates 10 episodes, with more to come

By: Jack Wilcox, Extension communications generalist Access to unbiased, research-based information is essential for farmers and agricultural professionals. On the Advancing Nitrogen Smart podcast series, Extension educator Brad Carlson and Extension nutrient management specialist Dan Kaiser examine and unpack the latest in nitrogen management research and recommendations, enabling farmers to make their own best decisions to maximize profits and minimize nitrogen loss to the environment. The Advancing Nitrogen Smart podcast series just turned 10! (episodes old). If you haven't listened yet, you can tune in here . Here's what we've covered so far and what you can expect from us in the near future. Advancing Nitrogen Smart episodes: Ep. 1 - N Placement Brad and Dan launch our series with a detailed discussion about the first of the 4 Rs - placement. What should Minnesota farmers know about depth, incorporation, loss pathways, and more to help achieve optimal nitrogen efficie
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On-farm research: Updating Minnesota's liming recommendations

By: Dan Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist Deciding whether to lime the soil can be a difficult choice, especially in rental situations, since the impact of liming can extend beyond short-term rental situations. The benefits of liming may not be achieved until two or more years post-application, so determining where lime is most economical can be difficult to assess. In addition, Minnesota maintains two separate lime recommendations depending on sub-soil acidity, which reflects differences in the parent material that formed the soils across the state. A current study is underway which will help assess the long-term benefits of lime applications in Minnesota. The study will also look into the rationale for parts of the current lime guidelines to determine whether changes should be made to better represent current cropping practices across the state. The history behind Minnesota’s lime guidelines The benefits of liming have been demonstrated through cooperative work between
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MN CropCast: Corn tar spot fall update with Dean Malvick

In this week’s CropCast, Seth Naeve and David Nicolai welcomed Dr. Dean Malvick, University of Minnesota Extension plant pathologist for corn and soybeans. Dean discussed hybrid selection and corn tar spot management criteria for growers to consider when choosing their 2025 corn seed and crop inputs. While crop yield data from multiple sites in 2024 is extremely important, yield stability over time as affected by disease resistance for corn tar spot is essential in the selection process. Dr. Malvick provided a review of the corn tar spot disease biology and the spread of the disease in corn production fields this year across Minnesota and into adjoining states. Dean specifically provided what is known and what is not known about progression and incidence of the disease occurrence in relation to weather, environment, wind spread and crop rotation effects. Because of the many disease risk factors that can occur each year there is not a simple answer to managing this disease. Dean discuss
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The beauty of alfalfa

Craig Sheaffer, Dept. Agronomy and Plant Genetics; and Deborah Samac and Mindy Dornbusch USDA-ARS, Plant Science Research Unit Alfalfa at flowering stage Alfalfa’s value as a nutritious livestock feed, as a contributor of N to crops in rotations, and as continuous living cover is well known. It is an economically and environmentally valuable crop. But often overlooked is the simple beauty of alfalfa’s lush green foliage flowing over the landscape and the accent provided by its deep purple flowers. A closer look at the foliage reveals dainty leaves composed of trifoliolate leaflets and small flowers grouped together in a cluster called a raceme. Individual flowers have a large standard or banner, 2 wings, and a fused keel petal. Within the keel petal are the male and female reproductive parts that are only obvious when the flowers are sprung or tripped by insects or wind. Purple is the dominant flower color of modern alfalfa varieties; however, alfalfa varieties can have plants
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